The upcoming inauguration of President Tsai Ing-wen on May 20 is set to feature a stage design and installation artwork inspired by the nation and its people. The committee that’s planning the inauguration unveiled several of the main designs on Sunday.
Naturally, the lucky color red will feature prominently in the designs for the stage. Also a key part of the design is that it will include hand-drawn depictions of the scenery and the people of Taiwan.
The design for the main stage in front of the Presidential Office Building will include the mountains and the sea of Taiwan, as well as indigenous animals like the Formosan Black Bear, temple festivals, and scenic landmarks. The two sides will feature fishermen and farmers, as well as key parts of Taiwanese life – things like night markets, baseball, office workers, and families. You will also be able to see key figures from the local Taoist religion, deities like Matsu, the goddess of the sea.
In addition to the festive stage design, there will also be four 12-meter-high installation artworks erected in the intersection in front of the Presidential Office Building. The theme is “Formosa”, or beautiful island, which is an old Portuguese name for the main island of Taiwan. The four statues will symbolize the four most precious gifts of Taiwan: the land, its people, democracy, and freedom.